On Considering Running / Walking A Marathon

About two and a half years ago or so, herself rang me and said all in one breath: “You are going kill me I just hired a P.T.”. In the rush of words I heard the words P.D. and wondered, thinking rapidly over my own recent past, what she needed a private detective for. “No, you eejit, a Personal Trainer”. Somewhat relieved, I started to laugh and paid for that by getting a full dose of contemptuous silence.

For the next few months, there was a sea change in the house. Stretches, Food Diaries, Squats, Lunges all became part of the daily conversation. A glass of wine had nearly to be weighed a biscuit almost dissected before consumption, early morning runs became the norm and there was a general air of athletic activity about the place. Then one morning returning from my own relaxing walk, I saw herself on the ground in Salthill Park being pulled apart by all sorts of rope and figured I could do without this torture thanks very much.

Other things began to change. Herself became fitter, had much more energy and was even more full of life than usual. Being the strong independent lady that she is, this was something of a surprise. Not only that but rather than waning the initial enthusiasm grew and gradually I began to develop a gradual respect for this PT. It also made me have a good long look at myself and what I saw was not pretty. Grossly overweight, totally unfit and now in my late fifties, it was time I took myself in hand.

After Christmas a lot of thought and with some trepidation, I picked up the phone and rang Sarah Thornton. In terms of personal fitness and quality of life, it was probably one of the most important phone calls I ever made.

Walking into her gym for the first time was like walking into a torture chamber. There were all sorts of weird and wonderful machines lurking in corners and I nearly bolted. But Sarah gently got me on the treadmill and began the initial assessment. Within a month, she had me completing exercises I never thought I would do again, those lurking machines became my friends, and within two months she had me out jogging again. Her innate ability to motivate a person and play to their strengths is as instinctive as it is nearly gentle and provided you are willing to work with her, the results are positive not to say amazing. Within six months she had me thinking of doing the Dublin City Marathon. Herself and myself had walked it ten years previous and I had always wanted a second crack at it. Now thanks to Sarah Thornton, this dream became a reality.

That experience has encouraged me to have a third crack. Now in my third month’s training I have come across “The Rough Guide to Running” and am sorry I had not seen it over a year ago. The book is laid out in such a way that it encourages even the most unlikely athlete that they too can not only run, they can take tremendous enjoyment out of it, improve their own quality of life immeasurably, and that a full marathon is not outside of his or her range.

The book takes the reader through all aspects of running from the problems real and perceived facing the novice or older runner, is cram full of helpful tips and facts with emphasis on running gear, technique, warming up, cooling down and above all listening to your own body. For the beginner or novice runner such as yours truly it is a must read although a great deal of technical material may go over the ordinary runner’s head. In a way, this is where a personal trainer is invaluable.

With this book in hand and Sarah Thornton to coach me I am now in train for my third marathon. The two prime objectives are to stay free from injury and to enjoy the experience. Next month we shall be down to the nitty gritty task of training.

desi@kennys.ie